John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Pool of Bethesda.

– referenced “the Holy Land in Colour” by Sami Awwad.

1. According to description this pool was located just outside the northern wall of the city of Jerusalem.
2. It was at the sheep gate that led into the temple.
3. It was used for the washing of the sheep to be used for sacrifice.
4. It is in size about 350 feet long by 200 feet wide and up to 25 feet  deep.
5. It is surrounded on all four sides by porches and divided laterally by a fifth porch.

SET THE SCENE

Hot – Sick littered about – Dropped daily – smells – sounds

Sheep Gate – Vendors – Religious crowd – Hopelessness – Despair

The pool was known for more than washing sheep.

John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

Mis-placed Hope.

1. Remember these were people who either walked, crawled or were carried to this pool and left there.
2. Their Hope was to this pool, that it would save them from their pain.
3. They hoped that they would be the one that when the water was stirred would be healed.
4. Now remember the water was up to 25 feet deep, when the water was stirred many dove it, others were pushed in, others rolled in. How many couldn’t swim because of their infirmity, how many cried for help, how many drown.
5. In the absence of truth people will do almost anything. They would crawl toward a desert mirage and when they get there they would drink the sand because they had hope that it would quench the thirst. These crippled folks came from miles around any way they could.
6. They had hope, but in a chance. The chance that they would be the first in when the water was stirred.
7. Religion is much the same… it gives you hope, it makes you feel better… but it will always be that false hope… never a real change from the inside out…

Jesus came with a better way.

John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

• Good Question!
• Salvation is a gift that must be accepted!
• Jesus doesn’t force anyone.
• Mark 6:48 (He would have passed by)

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 

1. Once he had arrived to the pool he was faced with the dilemma that he did not have the strength to save himself.
2. He looked to those at the market for help, those religious few there to give their sacrifices… He knew he could not save himself!
3. When you come to the point that you realize you can’t do it yourself, Jesus comes and ask, Wilt thou be made whole?

Do you remember the day Jesus ask you that. Do you remember the day you were tired of crawling toward your pool crippled with sin. So tired, so without hope.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Immediately.

John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.    

• How quickly does one get saved? IMMEDIATELY!
• There was no religious ceremony, no special robe that needed to be worn…
• The thief on the cross “Today thou shalt be with me…”

Conclusion.

Are you standing at the sheep gate waiting to give a sacrifice, blind to the need around you? Ignoring the cries of the lost, those in pain those who are suffering?
Are you the one sitting next to the pool, hopeless, waiting & wanting?
Question: Are we prepared to ask the question of ourselves & to those who would come through the church doors…

WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE!